Member Champions

Role of Member Champions

The role of Member Champions complements the responsibilities of Portfolio Holders, and other elected Members with designated responsibilities.

Each Member Champion keeps a focus on their area of responsibility by:

Raising the profile of the issue and showing the communities of East Devon the Council's commitment to the issue.
Fostering the engagement of a wider range of Members in the review and development of the issue.
Promoting effective communication and positive working relationships both within the Council and amongst partners, stakeholders and community groups.
Promoting the positive work that is being undertaken within the District, both at a regional and national level.
Providing positive support, and on occasions constructive challenge, to officers in driving forward the Council's agenda on the issue.

To fulfil their role effective a Member Champion also needs to be able to:

foster cross-party co-operation and be able to engage community groups and officers
understand and express the opinions and priorities of the community
be sensitive to Council priorities; although they may be advocating the opinions of the older people, for example, they should not do so at the expense of Council Policy and Corporate Policies. Champions cannot allow themselves to "go native" and forget about their broader role as a Councillor
Lead and respond to the whole range of issues rather than focussing upon a pet interest